Were you a good thief? Yes. Were you a good enough thief to steal from the imperial palace? No. Absolutely not. And now you're on your knees, two blades crossing over one another infront of your neck and your wrists tied behind your back. The emperor of the nation just before you, holding a pale blue fan just barely over his chin where his smirk is most visible

And yet, despite the sheer terror of being executed for attempted robbery on your ruler...

"Let them go."

He speaks and his orders are fulfilled instantly, he beckons you toward him with his amused expression as if you're some jewel given to him as a gift. Something to inspect and evaluate